Welcome 2009

The CT scan this morning has delivered very promising results. The cancer growth is stable – this is wonderful news as it means that the clinical drug is halting the growth of the current and new lesions! With today not being a full working day I do not have the full CT results so I cannot report back on the state of my lesions – will do this later. This morning I saw Dr T regarding the terrible pain I have been having in my left arm since before Christmas and I have been diagnosed with inflammation of the veins (too much toxic substance causes this) …. Argh.. it is really painful! I cannot received chemo in my left arm again and will do some hasty work coming Monday regarding having a port fitted. I have been saving my right arm for all the blood tests, etc. So, in conclusion, I remain on the clinical trial with a reassessment of the lesions end Feb 2009. Lets hope and pray that the good news continues thru 2009. I thank everybody who has been supporting me the past 14 month and wish you and your families a healthy prosperous 2009. I will be having a few glasses of bubbly tonight to celebrate today’s news and the new year.

3rd round patupilone

I was really positively surprised by my white cell and neutrophil count last Thursdays. Both were inside normal range – well done dear body for recovering so well! With the holiday season in South Africa the wait for the blood test results took really long – waited over 4 hours and then got the good news that chemo would occur… .Whoopee! The past 3 days have been much better than cycle one and two on patupilone. I ‘m still bit nausea and tired, but don’t have the intense nausea of the past two rounds. Dr T (clinical trials unit) has put me onto the same anti nausea meds that I had previously on taxol and carbo platinum, and it seems to be doing the trick! I have been having my afternoon siestas and early nights to rest the body. No rest for the wicked as I will do a few hours work from home tomorrow.

11th round of chemo

Today I have risen with a heavy heart as I face the clinical trials unit and my 11th round of chemo. We start the day with an ECG and blood tests, I then need to wait for the test results (about 1.5 hours) and then see the doctors for some checks and balances, ‘anti’ medicine prescriptions and then I finally get to walk to the chemo rooms with my files in hand. I must admit that I am not looking forward to the treatment knowing how I am going to feel for the next week. In my heart I have had enough of this toxic stuff … it has been 14 months of chemo.

Bron and Rory's wedding

Tuesday I decided not to take my cortisone (it was my last scheduled dose) and I really started feeling better from Wednesday. I still have the odd bout of nausea and tend to get physically sick in the mornings but managed thru Friday and Saturday without any medication. All is going really well this weekend and I have managed late evenings out and no afternoon naps, though I am not sure I will manage that today. Yesterday was my Goddaughters wedding day and Ian and I consumed an ample amount of bubbly. Bronwyn and Rory looked absolutely stunning and it was a wonderful ceremony and excellent party. Quite a few tears were shed as we raised our glasses to late Sharon (Bron’s mom passed away with cancer nearly 10 years ago).

Patupilone - round 2

The second cycle of patupilone is behind me. My white cell count and neutrophils are below normal range but still in allowable range for ‘chemo’ to be administered. Due to my severe nausea the doctors have readjusted the volume of chemo down by 25 percent and I am on much smaller doses of cortisone for the next few days. Shall we take some bets on what will happen in 3 weeks – I am game to place a bet that I will need medicines to increase my neutrophils and chemo will be post phoned, similar situation to a few months ago (unless the reduce chemo dose allows my body and blood cells to recover… but the effects are cumulative)

Dr J reckons I am a very strong woman – this comment brought a smile to my face – I know I am a very strong willed person (hahaha) and am blessed with a very strong physical body supporting me though this challenge.

Working in Antwerp

The past working week has been really busy and I have managed to keep up the pace. I am feeling much better than last week. Dr J (clinical trials unit) phoned my last Friday as I was still feeling really nauseous and the anti medicines were not offering any relieve. He told me to stop taking the cortisone which I have done since last Saturday. Physically I am feeling much better with the odd bout of nausea but it is not nearly as bad as last week. Tonight I head towards Holland to spend the weekend with my mother and then Tuesday I return to South Africa.

Post chemo blues

Just as I thought the tide was turning, life proved to me that it has not yet. Last Monday we had a water leak in the bathroom causing Dylan’s bedroom to flood and then Friday afternoon Dylan has a little accident on his motor cycle – no big hospital damage but enough to give him a lesson in riding motor cycles and to have respect for all cars.

Yesterday I went to work (first day since chemo) and managed just over 7 hours but was hugely stretched physically. I still have terrible nausea and fatigue and did eventually phone the clinical trial unit for additional medication. This week is hectic at work as we prepare for an overseas trip next week to Belgium and Copenhagen and after that I can look forward to a 3 day weekend with my mom in Holland. My mom is already planning everything including what we are eating at each meal… bless her!